JJISTORY OF OUADRUFEDS. 381 



THE CAPIBARA. 



(S/is ffydrochtertts, Linn. Lc. Cabiai, Buff. 



Is a native of South America, and lives on the 

 banks of great rivers, such as the Oronoque, Ama- 

 zons, and Rio de la Plata; swims and dives re- 

 markably well, and is very dexterous in catching 

 fish, upon which it chiefly subsists : it likewise eats 

 grain, fruits, and sugar-canes, feeds mostly in the 

 night, and commits great ravages in the gardens. 

 They generally keep in large herds, and make a 

 noise not much unlike the braying of an Ass. 



Its flesh is fat and tender; but, like that of the 

 Otter, has an oily and fishy taste. 



It is about the size of a small Hog; and, by 

 some naturalists, has been classed with that ani- 

 mal. 



Its fore hoofs are divided into four, the hind ones 

 into three ; its head is large and thick, and on the 

 nose there are long whiskers ; its ears are small 

 and rounded, and its eyes large and black ; there 

 are two large cutting-teeth and eight grinders in 

 each jaw, and each of these grinders forms on its 

 surface what appears to be three teeth, flat at their 



